Reverse logistics beyond profit: exploring socially-oriented recovery systems through a social value lens

Abstract

As corporate social responsibility (CSR) principles increasingly shape supply chain practices, reverse logistics is progressively extending beyond its traditional economic and environmental objectives to encompass social value creation. In the agri-food sector, product donation represents a socially responsible alternative to conventional return and disposal processes.
This study examines the barriers limiting the adoption of agri-food product donation within reverse logistics systems and explores the conditions that could facilitate its implementation. An exploratory qualitative methodology was employed, relying on semi-structured interviews with eight managers operating in the agri-food industry. The interviews were analyzed to identify key themes and managerial perceptions.
The results reveal that, despite the positive social and environmental impacts associated with donating end-of-life food products, this practice remains constrained by several obstacles. These include the predominance of traditional distribution channels in Morocco, insufficient logistical resources, and a lack of transparency across stakeholders. To promote wider adoption, the interviewees highlighted six key enabling factors: the establishment of an appropriate legal framework, the development of intermediary mechanisms between companies and beneficiaries, resource pooling, awareness-raising initiatives, fiscal incentives, and the strategic integration of product donation into corporate policies.